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1794: CRISPR-Cas Transposase Part I: Electron Density

Closed since about 6 years ago

Advanced Overall Prediction Electron Density

Summary

Created
January 31, 2020
Expires
Max points
100
Description

Fold the transposase protein into a density map! This is a followup to Puzzle 1784: CRISPR-Cas Transposase Part I, now with a cryo-EM density map! Players may load in previous work from Puzzle 1784.



CRISPR-Cas is a mixed complex of RNA and proteins, which work together to make a very precise cut in a cell's DNA. Scientists recently discovered a variant of CRISPR-Cas that coopts a new protein called a transposase. In addition to cutting DNA, the transposase also allows precise insertion of new material into a target DNA strand. This new variant could lead to more efficient gene editing with CRISPR-Cas! New cryoEM experiments have shed some light on the transposase structure, which was previously unknown.



We're asking Foldit players to help solve how this transposase protein folds! The transposase is a large 400-residue protein, so this puzzle only includes the first half of the protein, and we will post the second half of the protein in a follow-up puzzle. In this puzzle we've provided only the portion of density for this half of the transposase protein.



Sequence:

MFLQRPKPYSDESLESFFIRVANKNGYGDVHRFLEATKRFLQDIDHNGYQTFPTDITRINPYSAKNSSSARTASFLKLAQLTFNEPPELLGLAINRTNMKYSPSTSAVVRGAEVFPRSLLRTHSIPCCPLCLRENGYASYLWHFQGYEYCHSHNVPLITTCSCGKEFDYRVSGLKGICCKCKEPITLT

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Comments

Merf Lv 1

I wonder if these comments are actually monitored. Perhaps the powers
that be at Foldit just couldn't care less! Hmmm, a tricky one.

Merf.

bkoep Staff Lv 1

Not sure why the scoreboards are having trouble with these CRISPR puzzles… Still haven't been able to track down the issue

bkoep Staff Lv 1

We want to do a quick first pass on both parts of this protein in just a couple weeks. If it seems like there is more to be done after that, we can post follow-ups with more time (and with sharing enabled from previous puzzles).

alwen Lv 1

So frustrating! All those large sidechains (tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan) and I can hardly pick out a one!

horowsah Staff Lv 1

It's an issue with the underlying cryoEM data… this is the best that could be done in the experiment. When the data isn't great, it makes things hard.